Miniature Kutani porcelain vases, Japan Meiji era

This exquisite miniature Satsuma porcelain cabinet vase, dating to the Meiji Era, is a masterful representation of Japanese artistry and craftsmanshi...

A fine antique Japanese Meiji period Kutani porcelain vase. By Matsumoto Sahei/Shoundo. In an aka-e style decorated throughout in iron red with extensive gilt accents. There are cartouches to either side both with branches of red flower with a backdrop of clouds on a white ground. With 2 figural dragon finial handles. Marked to the base with '九谷松雲堂製' which translates as 'Made by Shoundo of Kutani' Matsumoto Sahei (1851-1918) was a master potter who enjoyed success & recognition during his era. In 1876, Sahei received the artist name Shoundo from the nanga painter Tokuda Kansho - he would use that title for nearly 20 years until passing it onto his son as his successor in 1893. Sahei also has the distinction of taking Tokuda Yasokichi I as an apprentice when the latter was 17-years-old. The Tokuda family is perhaps one of the most famous families of Japanese ceramics: Yasokichi I is credited with revitalizing the lost art of ko-Kutani and Yasokichi I, II, & III were all recognized as "Living National Treasures" during their lifetimes. Shoundo exhibited internationally numerous times at the tail end of the 19th Century. The Keisei Isogaya Museum of Art (which specializes in Meiji Kutani) has a vase of Sahei's that was exhibited in the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876. He is listed as exhibiting a wide variety of porcelain goods at the 1878, 1889, and 1900 Paris World Exhibitions. He is also listed as exhibiting 'incense burners & porcelain' at the World's Columbian Exhibition held in 1893 in Chicago. The pair of vases that Sahei exhibited in Paris in 1900 bear a strong resemblance to this pair. Simply a wonderfully rare Japanese porcelain...